Form dispensing apparatus



Nov. 7, 1944. w. B. PAYNE FORM DISPENSING APPARATUS 4 Shee s-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 19, 1942 INVENTOR. WALTER 5. PAYNE /fzw Nov. 7, 1944. w. B. PAYNE FORM DISPENSING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 19, 1942 INVENTOR. WALTER 5. PAYNE W. B. PAYNE FORM DISPENSING APPARATUS Nov. 7, 1944.

Filed Dec. 19, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 1N VEN TOR. WALTER 5. PAYNE #Wzw Nov. -7, 1944. w. B. PAYNE FORM DISPENSING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 19, 1942 1 I56 INVENTOR.

WALTER 5,. PAYNE made by a dishonest employee. initial step of an inside job'is to obtain a genuine Patented Nov. 7, 1944 FORM DISPENSING APPARATUS Walter B. Payne, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Todd Company, 1110., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 19, 1942, Serial No. 469,537

Claims.

The invention relates to. an improvement in a form dispensing apparatus, and more particularlyl to an appliance adapted to receive and hold a Continuous strip of printed form stationery in roll or packet form, and by which the leading end of the web is intermittently advanced to position successive forms at a severing position and there transversely divided into individual sheets for ejection from the machine.

The present invention is designed for use by banks, and mercantile and industrial establishments wherein checks, drafts, profit-sharing certificates, and other forms or instruments are issued in the normal course of business. An important advantage of the machine resides in the fact that it provides positive control over the forms prior to issuance, and permits an official of an establishment to delegate the actual task of issuing the forms from time totime to a subordinate. Upon actuation of the machine, the forms 'are positively dispensed and accounted for so that an executive may verify and check the items issued for any period. This improved machine provides safeguards and controls to promptly disclose any irregularities so as 'to discourage any improper use of the forms by a dishonest employee.

Heretofore, it has been common practice to use loose or padded forms as required without any positive means of controlling or accounting for ing devices. The prior practices have not provided internal control over the use-and issuance of instruments or forms likely to be fraudulently redeemed or rendered negotiable by an unscrupulous employeeor other party gaining access thereto.

' It is well known that one of the greatest sources of loss at the present time, in check disbursement procedures, is the manipulation Obviously, the

instrument or form that may be. forged and readily negotiated. Such manipulations are usually undertaken by a trusted employee in positionto cover up the transaction as well as to destroy all evidence of the crime. This is one of the reasons that persons found guilty of embezzlementinvariably have followed the criminal practice. over. a long period of time without being discovered. Applicants improved dispensing ma- ,chine fills a long felt need as it provides one of the missing links to complete'internal contr'olin check disbursement procedures. It provides a means whereby a disbursing OffiCEI may delegate the task of disbursing funds by check to others without danger that the forms may be unknowingly misused. The applicants machine must be conditioned for operation by the disbursing oflicer and all subsequent actuations for any period are positively accounted for and subject'to scrutiny. The machine eliminates the necessity 'of prolonged investigations orfrequent inventory of unused forms in the hands of a subordinate. Furthermore, the machine provides a modern, convenient, enicient and economical mode of dispensing forms.

Certain types of mercantile organizations folv tificates issued from time to time maybe checked with the actual receipts for a given period. The improved machine is particularly adapted for-dis pensing such forms not only because the forms are required to be issued in the order arranged on the supply strip. but neither the customer nor the clerk is aware of the numberorvalue before the form is actually ejected or dispensed.

An object of the invention is to provide a generally improved and more satisfactory machine of its kind which may be constructed economically, efficient andpositive in action, and not likely to get out of order, as well as to provide a means and mode of operation effective to provide control over its actuation and positively record all actuations thereof,

Another object of the invention is to provide control devices fOI '8, selectively operated magazine type of dispensing machine designed to positively and accurately advance a strip of preprinted form stationery without transverse perforations to'a severing position and there sever the strip into individual form sheets. i

protection against anyone manipulating the machine and gaining access to a form without its being properly accounted for by the machine register.

A further object is to provide key operated locking means for the displaceable machine casings so as to prevent unauthorized access to the form supply roll or pack as wella the recording register and other internal operating mechanism of the machine; and an independent key operated locking means for the operating means to prevent unauthorized actuation of the device.

Still another object resides in the provision of intermittent feeding means having positive and frictional engagement with the continuous form strip and being adapted to prevent the strip from being advanced when the machine is at rest as well as to positively and accurately advance the strip measured distances without danger of buckling or otherwise altering its course during the cycle of operation of the machine.

It is a still further object-of the present invention to :provide an improved self-adjusting severing means todivide the preprinted form trip into individual form length sheets, and a severing means of a nature to produce a clean and straight out betweenzsuccessive forms-of'the strip.

With the alcove :primary and other incidental obierits in "viewas will'more fully appear in the specification, the invent-ionconsists of the deatures of Iconstruction, 'theparts and combinations thereof and themo'de oi operation, or theirequiv- *alents, as hereinafter :described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1' is a "plan view 0f 'the machine with the cover'in "cross section.

Fig. .2is a vertical section taken substantiall on the "line 2- -2 'of Fig. 1, showing the parts in normal position.

Fig. '3 is a side elevation taken substantially on Ithe line 33'=o'f Fig. "1 =with the top-casing removed and certain 'parts "moved to abnormal -positions.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary en'd elevation taken substantially on the line d-d of Fig. 2, showing the guillotine evering'means and audible signal mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation similar to Fig. '2 but showing the position assumed by the drive mechanisms at the end of the .first half of the operating cycle when the operating handle is fully depressed.

Fig. '6 is a fragmentary side elevation similar to Fig. '3but showing the osition assumed by the J escapement'mechanisms at the end of the first half of theoperating cycle of the machine.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on'the line 7-1 of Fig.12, showing the strip feed meansand the relation of'theparts of the drive and escapement mechanisms.

.Fig. Sis a vertical section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. "1, showing various details of arrangement of the feed mechanism, severing device, and other mechanism of the machine.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. '7, showing the holding device effective to prohibit actuation of the machine when the form strip is depleted.

Fig,.'1'0 is a fragmentary vertical section taken approximately on the line lfll0 of Fig. 1 showing the casing lock and the locking mechanism for the operating handle.

The present apparatus is of a small, compact, registering type for storage of a roll or pack of preprinted forms such as bank checks, profitsharing certificates, coupons, or other forms of the character to be dispensed one at a time. The machine has intermittently operated feed and severing mechanisms for advancing a continuous strip of preprinted form material measured distances to present successive forms to strip severing position and there transversely divide it into a succession of individual forms. Each form advanced to severing position is accounted for on a register visible through a sight opening in the casing. The top casing i normally retained on the base by a key-operated lock, and a keyoperated locking means is also provided to prevent unauthorized operation of the apparatus. There is also provided an automatic means for locking the machine against operation when the supply of forms'has been depleted.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the apparatus i provided with a base In upon which is mountedspaced main supporting frames M and i2. Alsomounted on the base are spaced vertical supporting members l5 havingaligned apertures to receive a rod H3 for rotatably supporting .a supply roll H. The supply roll I! consists of a continuous web of preprinted form material composed of bank checks, profit-sharing coupons, or other preprinted forms. Suitable tension means, such as the weighted'strap i9, rests over the supply r011 11 to prevent the strip from unwinding too freely. In the operation of the machinegthe leading end of the strip i8 is passed around the guide roller H2 to the feed means generally indicated by the reference numeral 50 for intermittent advancement to strip severing position A generally indicated by dotted lines in 8 of the drawings.

A cross shaft 30 supported by the side frames H and 1:2 has its opposite ends extending exteriorly of the frames. As viewed in Figs. 2, 5, and 7, and oscillatable driving means is arranged at one endof the shaft 30 adjacent the side frame Ii. This driving means is effective to actuate a ratchet drive mechanism for the feed means '50 duringthe rearward stroke thereof or through the first :half 'of the operating cycle of the machine. The driving means is also effective to actuate a'second ratchet drive mechanism for the severing means-during the forward stroke thereof or during the second half of the operating cycle of the machine, all of which will be hereinafter described in detail. As viewed in Figs. 3, 6, and 7, acommon control means is carried at th other end of the shaft 3!] adjacent the side frame l2 and is effective to control independent escapement mechanisms for the feed and severing mechanisms in a manner also to be hereinafter described.

Theoscillatable driving means arranged on the shaft 3i) adjacent the side plate II includes the gear segment 36 and a drive member 29 fixed to one another andcarried by a hub 3| pinned to the shaft 30. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. a stud 28 carried by the oscillatable drive member 29 is engaged by the bifurcated end 2'! Of an operating lever '25 pivoted intermediate its ends at 26 to one of the supporting members I5. The

other end of the operating lever 25 extends through a slot 2-! in the machine casing 9 and'is provided with a suitable knob or handle 33. A tension spring 32 connected to the lever 25 and the support l5 normally tends to retainthe operating lever in the normal raised position. A second spring 24 connected to the segment 36 and to the side frame I'l tends to normally retain the segment in contact the side frame I As viewed in Figs. 2 and-'7, the feed shaft 40 rotatably supported by the side frames I and I2 has its ends extending beyond the frames. The ratchet drive mechanism for the feed shaft 40 includes a gear 31 carried by a hub 38'1oosely mounted'on the shaft 40. The gear 31 meshes with the gear segment 36 and is effective to move the rocker arm 39 also fixed to the hub 38. The rocker arm 39 carries a stud 4| upon which is pivoted a spring-pressed ratchet dog 42 cooperating with the ratchet plate 43 pinned to the shaft 40. A sprin 44 connected to the dog 42 and to the arm 39 retains the dog in engagement with-the ratchet plate 43. The ratchet plate 43 is provided with oppositely disposed teeth 45 and 46 adapted to be alternately engaged by the ratchet dog 42,

It will now be clear that upon movement of the oscillatable drive segment 35 by depression of the operating handle 25, the gear 31 will be rotated to move the rocker arm 39 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 2. Upon with the stop pin 23on movement, the ratchet pawl 42 carried by the rocker arm 39 will engage thev tooth 45 of the ratchet plate 43 to affect the rocking of the feed shaft 40 approximately 180. As previously stated, the feed ratchet mechanism is actuated upon the rearward stroke of the drive means to 3 advance the strip step-by-step during the first part of the operating cycle of the machine.

As best seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a second cross shaft 60 also supported by the side frames and H has its ends extendin beyond the frames and The rocker arm 83 carries a stud 84 upon which is pivoted the spring-pressed ratchet dog 65 cooperating with the ratchet disc 65 having oppositely disposed teeth 61 and 69. It will now be clear that as the oscillatable drive mechanism including the gear segment 36 is initially moved. in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 5, the ratchet dog 65 will be moved about the ratchet disc 86 to cooperate with the tooth 61 without rocking the shaft 50. However, during the first half of the operating cycle the feed shaft 40 has been rocked approximately 180" through the action of the ratchet pawl 42. i

Upon the return stroke of the operating handle 25, the oscillatable drive mechanism including the segment 36 is adapted to rotate the gear 6| in a clockwise direction asviewed in Fig. 5, so as to move the rocker arm 63 to causethe pawl 65, through its engagement with the tooth 61 of'the ratchet disc 86, to rock the severing shaft 6|] in a clockwise direction. Through this period of rotation, the shaft 60. is rocked approximately 180 to affect operation of the severing mechanism during the last half of the operating cycle of the machine.

. Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, a link connected at one end to the gear segment 36 is operatively connected to the actuating arm H of .a suitable accumulating register 12 suitably supported on the side frame Therefore, it will be clear that each actuation of the oscillatable drive mechanism will be effective to actuate the arm 1| to positively count each operating cycle of the machine. The register 12 is visible through a sight-opening provided in-the casing 9 of the machine. I

The oscillating drive plate 29is provided with a toothed portion adapted to cooperate with a spring-tensioned full stroke dog 34 pivoted to the side frame H, in a manner well known in the art. The full stroke mechanism including the toothed portion 35 and the dog 34 requires a complete cycle-of the machine once the operating handle has been shifted substantially from normal position. The mechanism disclosed is of the nature which is effective on both the forward and rearward stroke of the drive mechanism. Full stroke mechanisms of this character require that the dog be released from the teeth of the ratchet near the end of the paths of travel. Therefore, upon the initial movement of the drive mechanism in the present machines, there is a short period before the full stroke dog becomes effective.

As viewed in Figs. 1, 3, and 6 of the drawings, the escapement mechanisms for controlling the feed shaft and the severing shaft 88 are arranged adjacent the outside wall of the side plate I2. As viewed in Fig. 3, the spring-pressed stop pawl 15 pivoted at 16 to the side frame I2 normally engages either one of the oppositely arranged teeth 11 or 88 of an escapement disc 18 pinned to the feed shaft 40. This stop pawl serves to prevent any retrograde movement of the feed shaft 40. The spring-tensioned escapement latch 8| pivoted at 82 to the side frame I2 carries a stud 83 extending into the path of movement of a common control cam 84 fixed to the main shaft 30. When the machine is at rest or in normal position as shown in Fig. 3, the cam 84 is effective to hold the hook-shaped portion 85 of the latch 8| out of the path of movement of the teeth of the escapement disc 18. However, when in said normal position the cam 84 is effective to hold the stop portion 86 of the, escapement latch 8| in the path of the teeth of the disc I8, such as the tooth'TI shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, the feed shaft 40 cannot be rocked sufficiently to advance a form of the strip l8 to severing position unless the cam 84 is shifted by movement of the shaft 30. The feed escapement mechanism including the toothed disc 18 and the latch 8| is therefore efiective to prohibit substantial rotation of the feed shaft except upon normal actuation of the operating mechanism.

In the normal operation of the machine, the shaft 30 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction to move the cam 84 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 6. In the course of this movement, the cam 84 moves away from the stud 83 on the spring-tensioned escapement latch 8| and the stop portion 88 is displaced to allow the lug 11 to pass as the shaft 4U-is rocked by the ratchet dog.42. At the same time th pivotal movement of the latch 8| causes the hook-shaped portion of the latch 8| to be thrown into the path of the oncoming lug 11 of the disc 18. It will be clear that the feed escapement mechanism not only prevents the feed shaft 40 from being rocked appreciably except by the drive mechanism of the machine but it serves to also-limit the extent of movement thereof during the operating cycle of the machine. The stop portion 86 of the latch 8! is not withdrawn until the dog 34 is fully engaged with the full stroke ratchet plate 35.

The escapement mechanism for the severing shaft 60 includes the escapement disc 90 pinned to the shaft 60 and having oppositely disposed teethill and 92. Normally, the hook-shaped portigm 593 of the escapement latch 94, pivoted at 95 to the side frame I2, is in holding engagement with one of the teeth of the .disc :90. Therefore, the severing shaft 60 is normally :held against any rocking movement in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. .3 :or held against rotation in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. The hook portion 93 .is effective to prevent any counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 60, .Fig. 3, until the control cam 84 on shaft .30, at the very last part of the rearward stroke of the drive mechanism, engages the stud 96 carried by the latoh94. As theoperating mechanism concludes the first half of the operating cycle and-after the feed shaft 40 has been actuated, the cam 84 through its engagementwith the stud 96 is effective to withdraw'the hook-shaped portion 93 of the escapement latch :94 to free the shaft I50 for rockingmovement-by the drive pawl 65. A spring 91 connected with the escapement latch =8I and the escapement latch 94 serves 'tokeep both of the latch members under tension. A spring-tensionedstop dog 98 pivotedat 99 to the side plate I strip I8 of form material to be advanced through the device is provided with longitudinally spaced feed apertures, preferably adjacentone marginal edge. The feed means for the form strip includes a cylindrical feed-roller I fixed to the feed shaft 40 and made of anysuitable material to provide somewhat of a frictional surface so as to assist in the advance of the strip I8 upon rotation of the feed shaft 49. The roller I00 is provided with spaced aligningand feed pins IOI adjacent one endIt-hereof andwhich are adapted to successively enterthe feed apertures providedinthe strip I8.

Thefeed means extending the width of the web not lonlyprovides a high degree of frictional engagement with the strip but also positive engagement to hold the strip-against withdrawal as well as to intermittently advance and accurately position successive forms atsevering position.

Auxiliary frames I95 are arranged on each side of the machinein substantial alignment with the side frames II and I2. The auxiliar frames lUBi'I'laVB'E'HOfiSEt'DOItiOl'l I 06 at which point they 'are-pivotallysupported on a cross rod I0! carried by the side frames II and W. The auxiliary frames I are adapted'to be swung about'the pivot "I 01 andmoved from the full-line position to the position showniby the dotted lines in Fi 3, "in order to displace the assembly to facilitate Einserting andthreading the form strip I8 through the machine. Each auxiliary frame I95 carries a stud I03 adapted tobe engaged by the springpressed latching pawl I09 pivoted at III] to the main side frames of the machine. The pawls I09 serve to normally hold the auxiliary frame assembly I95 'in 'the full-line position shown in .guide roller I I2 :madeof any suitable material.

association with the feed roller I00.

When the frame assembly I05 is in latched position, the roller I I 2 is held in spaced parallel relation to the feed roller I00 with the axis thereof substantially in alignment with a vertical axis passing through the center of the feed shaft 40. Theroller I I2 not only serves to generall guide the strip I8 in its advance-to the feed mechanism 50 in a-fiat andsubstantially even tensioned state, but also,-because of its location serves to guide the strip in a path to contact at least half of the peripheral surface of the feed means. Due to this arrangement, the strip 18 is lead in a path'to be engaged by asubstantialnumber of aligning and feed pins -IOI as well as .over a substantial portion of'the frictional surface of the feed roller I10. An arcuate guide plate :IIl2 carried by the auxiliaryf-rames I 05 is providedwith an elongated slot aligned with the path of movement of the feed pins IIlI.

Below the path of movement of the strip I8, as it passes beyond the feed means 50, there is provided a supporting member I having depending portions I2fi supported on'studs I2-I passingfthrough suitable openings in the side frames H and I2, Fig. 8. The studs I21 are carried by .a removable plate I28 secured to the exterior of the side frames. Also pivoted at I2! is a lower flanged guide plate I29 which normally rests in The forward end :of the guide plate I29 is provided with an aperture aligned with the path of movement of the feed pins IUI. The flanged portions of the guide plate I29 carry a stud I30 engaged by the grasshopper spring I3I which serves to normally retain the forward end of the 'plate in cooperative engagement with the feed means 59. A stud. I32 carried by the side frames II and I2 holds the guide .plates spaced from the feed roller I00. An upper guide plate I33 supported by the side frames II and I2 serves to strip the form web from the feed pins IIlI in its course of advance.

Thesevering mechanism for dividing the strip I8 into individual sheets. and which is actuated by the driven severing shaft 90, will now be described. Referring to Figs. 1, 4, and 8, similarly shaped cams II8 are pinned to shaft 66 adjacent each ofthe side frames II and I2. Cam follower rollers I'2I carried by the bell crank levers I20 mounted on a cross rod II9 are held in contact with the cams I'IB through the action of the spring I49. Any movement of the shaft 69 rocks the levers I29 having-the reciprocal blade holder '2'and 4, which project downwardly to contact the ends of the horizontally arranged self-adjusting cooperating knife blade or cutting bar I35. The horizontally arranged bar I35 is freely guided at its ends in slots I36 formed in the side plates II and I2. On the edge opposite the cutting edge, the bar I 35 is provided with arcuate projection I31 intermediate its ends. The arcuate'projection I31 engages a correspondingly shaped recess I38 formed in the cross member I25 supported by the studs I21. The spring I connected to the cross rod H9 and the blade holder I22 tends at all "times to rock 'thelever I20 in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 8, to keep-the cam roller 4 side of the feed roller I00.

,I2I incooperative engagement with the cam H8 and normally hold the blade holder I22 in raised position. The spring I40 also serves to hold the severing blade H6 and cutting barI35 in cooperative relation under tension. It will. be seen that inasmuch as the spring-tensioned depending end portions I39 of the vertically arranged blade II6 engage the ends of the horizontally arranged cutter bar 'II6, the bar will readily swivel about the point I 31intermediate its end so as to be self-adjusting to maintain the cutting edge thereof parallel atall times with the blade IIG.

As best seen in Figs. 8 and 9, a control device is provided to prohibit actuation of the machine when the'supply strip I8 of forms is about exhausted. A cross rod I50 having its ends supported by side frames II and I2 carries a yoke member II. This yoke member is formed with a downwardly projecting portion I52 aligned with an annular groove I53 formed in the guide roller II2. As long as the web I8 is passing over the roller II2, the portion I52 of the yoke I5I is prevented from entering the groove I53. A spring I54 normally holds the yoke I 5i under tension so that as soonas the strip I8 is exhausted, the

yoke is rocked in a clockwise direction, Fig. 8. The other end of the yoke I5I is provided with a downwardly projecting arm I55 which is adapted to enter the path of the pins I56 caried on the When the strip I6 is exhausted and the yoke I5I is permitted to rock from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9, the portion I55 of the yoke I5I is shifted into the path of one of the studs I56 to prohibit any further rotation of the feed means until the supply strip I8 is replenished. It will be clear that if the feed shaft 40 is held from rotation by the engagement of the arm I55 with the stud I56, the feed ratchet dog 42 will be unable to advance, and thereby hold the oscillatable drive mechanism from moving and in turn prohibit depression'of the operating handle 25,

- The present machine is provided with an audible signal to clearly announce each time the machine has been actuated. Referring to Figs.

'1, 2, and 4, a bell I51 is supported on the'km'fe blade holder I22. It will be seen from Fig. 8 that the contour of the cams H8 is such as to permit a quick sudden return of the reciprocating holder I22 under the tension of the spring I40. This action causes the bell hammer I 59 to vibrate sufii- .ciently to produce a distinct audible signal.

The machine is provided with a removable casing 9 having the ejection slot H1 and is adapted to be locked on the base I0 in order to prevent any unauthorized party from gaining'access to the internal operating mechanism and the forms carried by the roll I1. The base I0 is provided with upwardly projecting retaining members I65 adapted to receive studs I66 carried by the case 9. A key-operated lock I61 shown in Figs. land 10, has a bolt I68 adapted to pass through an opening in the top of the base to prevent displacement of the cover 9 with relation to the base I0. It will be clear that an authorized individual may unlock the lock I61 to withdraw the bolt I66 to thereby permit the casing 9 to be shifted to displace the studs I66 from the slots in the retaining members I65.

'When it is desired to insert a supply roll I1. "'to'replenish the supply of forms, the casing is removed as above described. In order to facilitate threading the leading end of the form strip I9 through the machine, the latches I09 are raised of the guide plate I29permits the strip to be readily positioned in the guideway between the plates I29 and I33, and the proper apertures of the strip I8 positioned on the aligning pin IOI. After the strip has been properly positioned with respect to the feed means, the auxiliary frame is again raised to the latched position shown in Figs. 3 and 8 of the drawings. As the auxiliary frame is raised, the arcuate plate I02 moves away from the projection I1I of the lower guard plate I29 andthe spring I3I is effective to again raise the guard plate I29 50 that the slot therein registers with the feed pins IOI and the plate is generally positioned to facilitate proper advance of the strip.

In a machine of the class of the present invention it is desirable to prevent unauthorized operation thereof. For this reason a key-operated lock I12 is provided to enable the operating handle 25 to be locked against depression. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 10 of the drawings, the bolt I13 of the lock I12 is adapted to cooperate with a holding plate I14 pivoted at I15 to the casing 9. A knob I16 on the exterior of the casing 9 permits the holding member I14 to be manually shifted from the ineffective position shown by the dotted lines to the effective position shown by full lines in Fig. 10. The holding member I14 is provided with a latching portion I11 which is adapted to'pass beneath the operating lever 25 to prohibit depression thereof. In locked position, the bolt I13 is positioned in the path of the flange I18 of the holding member I14. Therefore' it will be seen that the machine is capable of being locked against unauthorized operation.

1 Sequence 09 operations The following is a brief summary of the sequence of operations:

After the machine has been loaded with a supply of forms, the official or disbursing officerof a business institution positions the cover 9 on the machine and locks the lock I61 to prevent unauthorized access to the form supply I1 as well as the register 12, and other parts of the operating mechanism. The executive lock I12 is effective to prevent unauthorized actuation of the operating handle 25. In view of the fact that the terminal end of the form strip I8 normally lies adjacent the severing knife and Well within the machine, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, it cannot be readily grasped for the purpose of man ually pulling same from the machine. Further-- After taking a reading of the register, an ofii cial may condition the machine for normal operation by unlocking thelock I72 which permits the knob I'IB to be turned to displace the holding member I'M from the path of the operating lever 25. In the operation of the device to dispense a form, the operating lever is depressed to advance the strip I8 to position the terminal form at severing position A indicated by the dotted lines in Fig, 8. The terminal form is subsequently severed from the strip I8 and rests on the dispensing tray II I so that it may be removed by a clerk or customer, depending upon the use that is being made of the device.

The depression of the operating lever 25 initiates movement of the oscillatable drive member 25 to rock the shaft 30. The cam 84 on shaft 3?], Fig. 3, is effective to retain the stop portion 86 of escapement latch 8| in the path of the tooth TI until the full-stroke dog 34- is in cooperative engagement with the teeth of the fullstroke ratchet 35. Therefore, the extent to'which the feed shaft -iflmay be rotated by manipulation of the operating handle 25 before the full stroke mechanism becomes effective is positively limited. Any such rotation of the feed shaft is not sufficient to cause the feed means to advance the terminal end of the strip into the ejecting slot IIT. Upon the continued rotation of the shaft 38 the cam 84 moves away from the springtensioned escapement arm 8| to permit it to rock about its pivot to displace the stop portion 86 out of the path of the tooth of the disc I8. In the latter position the latch portion 85 of the escapement arm 8| is placed in the path of the oncoming tooth of the disc 18 to limit the extent of rotation of the feed shaft 40.

The movement of the drive member 29 and the shaft 3%] initiates the action of the ratchet drive mechanism for the feed shaft 40 during the first half of the operating cycle of the machine. The clockwise rotation of the gear segment 36 on shaft 36, as seen in Fig. 2, through the gear 31 causes the ratchet dog'42 to rock the feed shaft 40 in a counterclockwise direction. The shaft 40 is rocked approximately 180 and sufficiently to rotate the feed roller I09 having the feed pin IIII to advance the strip a predetermined form length. The latch portion 85 of the escapement arm BI prevents any overthrow of the shaft 40 and the stop dog I5 prohibits any retrograde movement thereof.

As the drive mechanism nears the end of the rearward stroke, the control cam 84 engages the stud 96 on the escapement latch 94 to disengage the latter from the tooth of the escapement disc 90 on the severing shaft 60. Therefore, after the strip I 8 has been advanced and at theend of the first half of the operating cycle, the severing shaft Bil is released for rotation. As viewed in Fig. 5, at this part of the operating cycle the dog 65 of the ratchet drive mechanism is engaged with the tooth 61 of the ratchet disc 66 fixed to the shaft 66. Upon the return stroke of the oscillatable drive member 29 and segment 36, the ratchet dog 65 will be effective to rock the shaft approximately 180. This movement will be eifective to actuate the guillotine knife IIB to sever the form advanced to severing position A from the strip I8. It will be clear that the feeding and severing mechanisms operated in predetermined timed sequence serve to provide a mode of operation that assures accurate intermittent advance of the strip I8 and severance only after the terminal form has been properly positioned at sev-.

ering position.

As best seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the pivotal support of the knife holder I22 permits the assembly to be manually rocked to the abnormal position shown. Therefore, the horizontally arranged knife blade I35 may be readily removed from the slots I36 of the side frames for harpening or replacement. 7

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described embodying the particular features of advantage heretofore set forth as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction, and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend with my invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claim and the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' l. A form dispensing. apparatus wherein a continuous strip of preprinted form material having longitudinally spaced feed apertures is advanced through predetermined distances to present successive forms in strip severing position and there transversely divided into a succession of individual forms, including a feeding device having spaced pins for positive engagement with the strip apertures and being. adapted to intermittently advance the strip in one direction to severing position, an intermittently operated severing device for transversely dividing the strip progressively with its advancement, an oscillatable driving means, a full stroke mechanism associated with said driving means, ratchet drive mechanism connecting said driving means with said feeding device and being adapted to actuate the feeding device solely during the forward stroke of the driving means, a second ratchet drive mechanism connecting said driving means with said severing device and being adapted to actuate the severing device solely during the return stroke of said driving means, and manual means for oscillating said driving means.

2. In a strip feeding and severing apparatus wherein a continuous strip of material bearin spaced printed forms is intermittently advanced to a strip severing position and there transversely divided into a succession of individual: forms, including a strip feeding devicefor intermittently advancing the strip to position the. terminal form at severing position, a severing device for transversely dividing the strip into individual form sheets, manually actuated operating means, drive mechanism operatively connected to said operating means and being adapted to actuate said feeding device and said severing device in a predetermined sequence, a releasable escapement mechanism. associated with said feeding device and normally restricting movement of the feeding device, said feed escapement mechanism being adapted to be shifted fromnormal. position to release said feeding device for actuation and moved to a second position effective to limit the movement of the feed device to the advancement of the strip a form length, a second releasable escaperelease. the severing device for actuation and then to berepositioned to restrict the severing device to a single actuation, and a common control memberfor said escapementmechanisms, said control :memberoperatively connected with said operating means and movable to render said escapement mechanisms effective in predetermined sequence,

the'construction and arrangement being such that said drive mechanism for the feeding and severing devices and said control member. for the escapement mechanisms are so synchronized that thestrip is advanced and transversely, divided at predetermined spaced intervals into individual forms of uniform size.

advancing the strip to position the terminal form at'severing position, a severing device for operating means and being adapted toactuate said feeding device and said severing device in a predetermined sequence, an escapement mechaznism associatedawith said feeding device and normally positioned to restrict the initial movement of said feed device and the advancement of? the strip, said feed escapement mechanism being adapted to be shifted from normal position to release said feed device for actuation and moved to asecond position' effective to prevent the feed I device from advancing the terminal form beyond the severing position, and a control member for said feed escapement mechanism being operativelyt connected with said operating means, the construction and arrangement being such that saiddrive mechanism and said control member for the feed escapement mechanism are so synchronized that'the forms of thestrip are positively and accurately advanced to severing position and there cut into individual form sheets.

4; An apparatus whereina continuous strip preprinted form material is advanced through measured distances to present successive forms in strip severin position and there transversely cut into a succession of individual forms, including an intermittently operated strip feeding dev vicelfor advancing the strip to severing position, an intermittently actuated severing device for transversely dividing the strip progressively with its advancement, cyclically operable driving means, ratchet drive mechanism connecting said driving'means with said feeding device and being adapted to actuate the feeding device solely during the first half of the operating cycle of the driving means, a second ratchet drive mechanism connecting said driving means with said severing device and being adapted to actuate the severing device solely during the second half of the operating cycle of the driving means, and a re ister device positively connected to said -driving means and being adapted to record each cycle of operation of the apparatus.

5. An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of form material having longitudinally spaced apertures is intermittently advanced a predetermined distance to present successive forms in strip severing position and there transversely cut into a succession of individual sheets, including a supporting frame, an intermittently driven shaft supported parallel to the path of advance of the transversely dividing the stripinto individual form; sheets, manually movable operating means, drive mechanism operatively connected to said strip by said frame, strip feed means for. advancing the strip to severing position including a cylindrical feed roller and a pin feed sprocket mounted on said driven shaft for unison rotation, saidfeed roller adapted during'each quiescent period to provide frictional resistance to the advance of the strip but being adapted upon rotation to assist in the advance of the strip as Well as to prevent the strip from buckling or otherwise altering its course of advance, said feed pin sprocket positively engaging the strip apertures to normally retard advancement of the strip but being adapted. upon rotation to accurately control the advancement of the strip, means for guiding the strip during its advancement and retaining the strip apertures in feeding engagement with the pins of said feed. sprocket, intermittently operable severing means for transversely dividing the strip into individualform sheets and cyclically operable actuating means for operating said feed means and said severing means in predetermined sequence during the cycle of operation of the apparatus;

6.- An apparatus wherein a continuous strip of preprinted form material having longitudinally spaced apertures is intermittently advanced a predetermined distance 'to present successive forms in strip severing position and there transversely cut into a succession of individual sheets,

including a supporting frame, an intermittently driven shaft supported by said frame parallel to the path of advance of the strip, rotary strip feed means for successively advancing the strip to severing position comprising a cylindrical feed roller mounted on said driven shaft and having spaced feed pins thereon adjacent one end, said feed roller adapted during quiescent periods to provide frictional resistance to any/advance of the strip but being adapted upon rotation to assist in the advance of the strip, said roller feed pins adapted to positively engage the strip apertures to nor- -mally hold the strip from being slipped about said feed roller when at rest but being adapted upon rotation with said roller to maintain control over. as well as to accurately advance the strip a predetermined distance, a normally latched movable auxiliary frame assembly pivotally mounted on said supporting frame, a guide roller rotatably supported by said auxiliary frame in spaced parallel relation to said feed means, saidauxiliary frame being adapted to normally retain said guide roller in a position to divert the path of travel of the strip so that it passes over at least half of the peripheral feed surface of said feed means, severing means for transversely dividing the strip into individual form sheets, and cyclically operable means for actuating saidfeed means and said severing means in a predetermined sequence during the cycle of operation of the apparatus.

for unison rotation, said feed roller adapted when at rest to provide frictional resistance to the advance of the strip but being adapted upon rotation to assist in the advance of the strip, said feed pin sprocket positively engaging the strip apertures and adapted when at'rest to-resist any advancement of the strip butbeing adapted upon rotation to control and accurately advance the strip a predetermined distance, an auxiliary frame assembly pivotally connected to said supporting frame and movable from an. effective to an ineffective position, a guide roller supported in spaced parallel relation to said feed means by said auxiliary frame, said auxiliary frame assembly being adapted when. in the eifectiveposition to retain said guide roller in a position to divert the path of travel of the strip 'so that it passes over at least half of the peripheral surface of said feed means, said auxiliary frame being adapted when in said ineffective position to displace said guide roller from said feed means. so that the leading end of. the strip may be readily threaded through the machine, intermittently actuated severing means for transversely dividing the strip. into individual form sheets, and operating means for actuating said feed means and said severing means in predetermined sequence during the cycle of operation of the apparatus.

8. A form dispensing apparatus wherein a continuous strip of preprinted form material is intermittently advanced measured distancesto present successive forms in a strip severing position and there transversely separated into individual sheets, including a supporting frame, a strip feeding device supported on said frame for intermittenly advancing the strip to position the terminal form of the strip at severing position, a self-adjusting cutter bar arranged in a plane parallel to but at one side of the path of advancement of the strip, acros member carried by said frame, said cutter bar having its opposite ends guided in slots formed in said frame and being swivelly connected intermediate its ends with said cross member, a guillotine blade coacting with said bar and being adapted to cut the terminal form advanced to severing position from the strip, said blade mounted to reciprocate through a substantially vertical plane of movement at right angles to the path of advancement of the strip, means for holding said blade in association with said, bar under tension, whereby said bar is adapted to swivel intermediate its ends to maintain its cuttingedge parallel at all times with said blade, and means for actuating said feed device and said guillotine blade in a predetermined sequence during the operating cycle of the apparatus.

9. A form dispensing apparatus whereina continuous strip of preprinted form material is intermittently advanced a predetermined distance to present successive forms of the strip in severing position and there transversely cut the'strip into individual sheets, including a pair of spaced side frames, a strip. feeding means supported between said frames for intermittently advancing the strip to position the terminal form of the strip at severing position, a self-adjusting cutter bar horizontally arranged in a plane parallel to but on one side of the path of advance of the strip, a cross member supported by said frames, said cutter bar having its opposite ends freely guided in horizontal slots formed in said side frames and being swivelly connected. intermediate its ends with said cross member, a guillotine blade mounted to reciprocate through a substantially vertical plane of movement at right angles to the path of advancement of the strip, said blade having an intermediate cutting portion normally positioned on the side of the path of advance of the strip opposite said bar and.projecting end portions normally coacting with said bar, spring means for said blade being adapted to retain the projecting end portions thereof in association with said bar under tension and effective to cause said bar to swivel intermediate its ends to maintain the edge thereof parallel at all times with said blade, and means for actuating said feed device and said guillotine blade in a predetermined sequence during the operating cycle of the apparatus.

10. A form dispensing apparatus of the storage and registering type wherein a continuous supply strip of checks, certificates, or other preprinted material is intermittently advanced to present successive forms of the strip in severing position and there separated into individual sheets, including a base having retaining members, means for supporting a supply of form material carried by said base, a strip feed device supported by said base and being adapted to intermittently advance the strip to successively position the forms at severing position, strip severing means supported on said base and being adapted to sever theforms from the strip, means for actuating said feeding device and said severing means in a predetermined sequence, a register connected with said actuating means to record each form advanced to severing position, a displaceable cover provided with a register sight-opening and an elongated form dispensing outlet, said cover having means for cooperating with said base retaining members, a key-operated lock carried by said cover and having a locking bolt being adaptedto cooperate with the base to prevent displacement of said case cooperating means from said base retaining members to prohibit unauthorized removal of the cover to gain access to the form supply, register or operating mechanisms of theapparatus, and a second key-operated lock carried by said case for locking said actuating means against unauthorized actuation WALTER B. PAYNE. 

